John Michael Beckett
(Mike), 65, of Lakeway,
TX, a retired owner of
Grand Haven Homes and entrepreneur, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 26, 2024, at his home. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held for Mike on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 1 PM at the American Legion Hall, 218 W. Main St. Ottawa, Ohio 45875 with a meal to be served. Mike was born on April 3, 1959 in Waterloo, New York to Jack Cecil and Phyliss (Joni) Beckett. Mike is survived by his wife, Barbara Maag Beckett, and two very beloved children, Katie (Heath Veytia) and Matt. His surviving siblings are Peggy Kruse, Patty, and Dan (Jennifer). He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Sally, Beverly (Gustwiller), Dave, Bill, and Mark. He attended Ottawa-Glandorf High School and Bowling Green State University studying Construction Science. During his storied career, his impact was certainly felt, as a businessman and mentor to many. His awards and achievements as a builder and entrepreneur are too numerous to list. His interests were spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and cooking. He was also an avid music enthusiast, enjoying everything from Waylon Jennings to Pink Floyd. Mike was famous for his vow renewals. When he and Barbara celebrated their first renewal on their 25th anniversary, Mike said, “This is so much fun, let’s do it every 5 years!” and so they did. They celebrated two subsequent vow renewals. On their 30th anniversary, Mike set up a treasure hunt in the sands of Turks and Caicos, where he had buried jewelry featuring pieces of eight from the Spanish galleon, Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which sunk in the 1600’s. For their 35th anniversary, Mike had a message of love written in the sky above the vineyards of Napa Valley as they exchanged their vows. Mike loved to host large groups of Katie and Matt’s friends, making it a welcoming party for all. He became a master in how to cook for 30+ people and delighted many with everything from BBQ chicken to whole roasted hogs to Spanish paella. His love of animals and the outdoors was well known, and he took joy in seeing his family embrace the beauty of nature.
